Snehal and Bhadri Suthar of Grid Architects crafts a biophilic retreat in Gujarat

This isn’t just a weekend home; it defies discomfort with a surreal elegance. Strategic design battles the region’s heat, embracing native materials for sustainability. Flexibility reigns supreme, tailored to exacting family needs. Custom furniture, hewn from natural materials, heightens coherence and charisma, akin to surrealist sculptures adorning an enigmatic landscape. In essence, Vanessa Villa, a name inspired by the homeowner’s granddaughter, stands as a bastion of comfort, intimacy and conscious living—a testament to design prowess in perfect sync with nature’s rhythms.

Located in a serene, gated community, the villa sprawls over a plot spanning 30,000 square feet, with a built-up area of 7,347 square feet. Nestled away from the bustling city, it resides in the tranquil outskirts, a mere 10-minute drive from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, towards Aluha. Boasting more than three-quarters of lush greenery, the landscape is adorned with native drought-friendly plants abundant in Western India, including badaam, gulmohar trees, neem, banyan, mango, and peepal, creating a harmonious blend with the natural surroundings.

Boasting of a generous floor plan, one is welcomed by a sprawling indoor swimming pool and a vast backyard garden adorned with a charming gazebo and natural rockfall seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscape. Inside, the ground level features a well-appointed kitchen, dining area, living room, and a guest bedroom, complemented by two internal courtyards and courtyards attached to two bathrooms. Upstairs, two additional bedrooms, including a master suite with a private deck overlooking the garden oasis, along with two more inviting terrace spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.

The client’s brief was straightforward: “They desired a weekend home that featured an indoor swimming pool that was enveloped by a vast landscape, emphasising relaxation and connection with nature,” reveals Bhadri Suthar, whose design philosophy echoes a commitment to environmental harmony. Snehal Suthar, echoing his partner’s sentiments, adds, “Our aim was to create a space where architecture seamlessly integrates with the natural environment, fostering a sense of tranquillity and well-being.”

Interestingly, “The pervasive integration of nature through materials, light, and vegetation was central. The ideation phase considered how each space could connect with nature, planning involved selecting materials and designing openings to maximise this connection, execution required careful implementation to maintain the integrity of natural elements, and completion saw these efforts culminate in a harmonious, health-promoting environment.”

When probed about the hurdles encountered while incorporating a Biophilic design, Bhadri responds with unwavering confidence, “Never – for us it’s a lifestyle. So, it’s not a challenge; we are not doing it as a superficial embellishment. We focus solely on contextual factors such as climate, location, and the materials we use, all integral to the Biophilic programme. It’s part of the fundamental philosophy at GA: taking care of ecology, ensuring resource efficiency, and sourcing labour locally. Time is also a crucial aspect, with completion within one and a half years being imperative, as sustainability extends to every aspect of our work.”

And very well said so, ensuring the pool and living areas were crafted as the heart of the home, promoting leisure and interaction. “Even the use of natural materials, abundant light, and strategic layout ensures that every space maintains a dialogue with the outdoors, fulfilling the client’s vision of a serene, nature-centric retreat,” reveals Bhadri.

Speaking of the material and colour palette, she shares, “Materials like oak wood and natural stone provide warmth and a casual, welcoming ambiance, complemented by soft pastels and earthy tones that reflect the surrounding landscape.” As one moves into formal living areas, these materials are refined and presented more elegantly; “For instance, the wood may be polished, and the stone finishes more sophisticated. Colours shift to more subdued, neutral palettes, enhancing the formality while maintaining harmony,” explains Bhadri while maintaining the overall effect as a gradation of spaces, from relaxed and intimate to more polished and grand, yet all interconnected through a consistent use of natural materials and a cohesive colour scheme that echoes the villa’s biophilic design ethos.

Each element, from concept through to realisation, required a deep understanding of the client’s needs, a commitment to sustainability, and a passion for creating spaces that resonate on a personal and environmental level.

When asked about the inspiration behind choosing native species of drought-friendly plants for Vanessa Villa’s landscapes, she explains, “The decision is deeply influenced by Gujarat’s dry climate, necessitating sustainable and climate-appropriate landscaping.” She emphasises regional adaptation, ensuring plants thrive with minimal water, reflecting respect for the local environment. This approach enhances thermal comfort, ties aesthetics to the region’s identity, conserves resources, and supports native ecology, fostering a sustainable connection with Gujarat.

Vanessa Villa demonstrates a skilful application of climate-responsive architecture to combat regional heat and boost energy efficiency. The facade design incorporates recessed windows and deep overhangs to minimise direct solar gain, reducing reliance on artificial cooling. Locally sourced, thermally inert materials are utilised for construction, aiding heat absorption and dissipation for cooler interiors. Natural ventilation is facilitated through cross-ventilation, lessening the need for mechanical cooling. Thermal zoning optimises comfort by allocating heat-generating functions strategically. Additionally, outdoor landscaping and water features create a cooler microclimate, further enhancing energy efficiency. This blend of traditional wisdom and modern design ensures Vanessa Villa remains comfortable and sustainable in challenging climates.

Seamlessly integrating biophilic design to enhance resident well-being, one can experience abundant use of large windows flooding the interiors with natural light, linking indoor life with natural rhythms and reducing reliance on artificial illumination – facilitating cross-ventilation and ensuring fresh air circulation for improved comfort and health. “Materials like oak and stone throughout the villa blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, enriching the living experience with nature’s textures,” reveals Bhadri. Strategic views and outdoor connections in every room deepen residents’ engagement with their environment, offering a serene, sensory-rich atmosphere. These thoughtful design choices collectively forge a nurturing, nature-connected habitat.

Integrating custom furniture made from natural materials, the furniture resonates with the villa’s structural and design elements, ensuring consistency throughout the space. Bhadri’s approach to this aspect of design goes beyond aesthetics, as she elaborates, “This approach not only maintains a visual harmony but also reinforces the biophilic design principle, promoting a deeper connection with nature.” Additionally, “Custom furniture tailored to the villa’s dimensions and style maximises space efficiency and aesthetic appeal, offering unique, functional pieces that reflect the home’s character.”

Snehal Suthar adds, “Our goal was not just to create furniture, but to sculpt pieces that echo the essence of the villa itself, fostering a seamless integration between the built environment and the natural world.” Needless to say, more places like Vanessa Villa are the need of the hour, urging us to rethink our relationship with the environment and aspire towards architectural endeavours that harmonise with nature’s grandeur.

Snehal Suthar and Bhadri Suthar (Founders, The Grid Architects)

Founded by Snehal Suthar and Bhadri Suthar, Grid Architects Grid Architects strives for an inclusive approach to design, emphasising collaboration to bring a diversity of ideas to the table. Snehal holds a Masters in Sustainability from San Francisco, USA, while Bhadri graduated from APIED Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India. Their philosophy centers around Biophilic design, creating buildings that harmonise with the natural world, promoting psychological, biological, and sociological well-being. Their efforts advocate for environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, contributing to society by raising awareness of the simplicity of embracing sustainability.